Tim Marshall

Diplomatic Editor

Imagine: Jon Stewart of the Daily Show has a satirical pop at President Obama. He has the nerve to mock his speeches, and then sing a love song to the President whilst holding a pillow with Obama's face printed on it. The cheek! The humour!

But what should Mr President do?

A - Ignore it, perhaps allowing himself a smile, knowing it to be part of a robust, healthy, and democratic political culture.

B - Get the Attorney General to open an investigation into Stewart for "Undermining the status of the President".

In the Egyptian version of this quiz you don't need to imagine it, because it's happening, and the answer is: B.

Bassem Youssef is not the Egyptian Jon Stewart; he's the Egyptian Bassem Youssef. However, the comparison is useful as it indicates both his irreverent, intelligent style, and his appeal.

He came to prominence with his satirical humour in the aftermath of the uprising which allowed the military to oust President Mubarak in a coup d'etat in February 2011.

Image Caption:President Obama talking to Jon Stewart on the Daily Show last October

The military then brokered a power sharing deal with the next strongest force in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Brotherhood duly won the subsequent elections.

Since then President Morsi of the Brotherhood has railroaded into a law a new constitution which, among a litany of anti-democratic provisions, forbids insulting the president.

For Mr Youssef's alleged crime of holding a pillow with the president's face on it, he could face a spell in jail, although that is unlikely for a man who has his own national TV show.

The case reeks of being a shot across the bows of those who would dare to take on what the satirist himself calls the "New Pharaoh" aka President Morsi.

Image Caption:President Morsi has the backing of the majority of Egyptians

The warning signs are coming thick and fast. In another example a leading daily newspaper, al-Masry al-Youm has been accused by the presidency of "spreading false news representing a danger to civil peace, public security and affecting the presidency".

The paper ran an article last weekend claiming President Morsi was due to visit hospital but did not say why. The editor and a reporter have now been summoned by the state prosecutor for questioning next Saturday.

The new constitution is emblematic of the problems facing those who want to build a genuine, open, pluralistic society in the new Egypt. Not only does it allow the abuse of media freedoms, but it fails to protect Christians' and women's rights.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, indeed across the Arab world, intends to reshape society in its own image.

Image Caption:There have also been violent protests against proposed political reforms

To an extent this is normal political behaviour. Britain's Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Conservative parties would like to see themselves reflected by British society. When in Government they enact laws in line with their philosophies and tell us they are for the good of the country.

The difference is that the checks and balances of the UK system make it difficult to railroad through extreme laws, and relatively easy to change governments. (Naturally it is an imperfect system which makes mistakes and occasionally enacts anti-democratic measures). The three parties are rooted in secular ideology whereas the Brotherhood is first and foremost a religious organisation dedicated to turning society towards its version of God's will.

Among the Brotherhood's first acts in Egypt has been to give the president greater powers than those held by the dictator Hosni Mubarak, and to oversee a wave of legislation curtailing media and artistic freedom.

It will now concentrate on the ministries of education, justice, and religion. Control of the military can wait. If society can be changed, the military will follow.

These are just some of numerous examples giving the impression that Egypt's new leaders do not see democracy as a political system to ensure freedom for all, but as one enabling them to get into power and curtail their opponents' abilities to oppose them.

They won the election because they do reflect a majority in Egypt. They should be confident enough that their ideas are strong enough to keep them in power without resorting to behaviour reminiscent of those who came before. Above all, they should understand that, in a democracy, a thousand ideas can bloom.

What should President Morsi do? He speaks fluent English, perhaps he could tune into the next edition of the Daily Show, or Mr Youssef's next offering. Maybe he could see the funny side of things.